Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-10-14
4 NOCEI THAT ~ 4 HIsTORY-JCDGT
TORGEE On THE EARLY DAYS or
NnR AnNISN

Judge alplbu w. leuisce. "ho h'S' cV
came famous as the author of "A FOOLS
Errand," has written several strong novels
since that book was published. and one or two
written before the one alluded TO have been
given to the public during the past few
years. Each of these books was written
with wholesome purpose. and each of
them. no doubt, has eNerted a potent in
fuence in molding public sentiment. His
latest work, entitled Buttons Inn. which
was published rs q serial story in the Chi
cago Inter OceIn tthe copyright Of which
was secured by an old REPUBIIC coutribu-
tor. Mr.. W. H. Busby, native of Clark
county and now one OF the editors OF the
hitter ocean,, the copyright of the book
having been secured by Mrs. Emma X.
rourgee. the Judges very efficient and ac-
compIished wife.
The scene of the story is familiar to all
Chsutaugua visitors who have driven over
from Mayyille, at the head of Chautauqua
Lake. down the mountain side. across the
gulf of Chautaulua creek. down through
the beautiful village Of Westhsld. 10 the
shore Of Lake Erie, along the line OF imme-
date vicinity Of the old Portage road. built
two hundred years ago by French troops.
10 open highway for the transportation
of military forces and supplies from Cana
da through the Chautauqua lake region and
down the Allegheny river to Pittsburg and
the Ohio and Mississippi valleys. But
toms Inn stood on high ground. near the
gulf we have aiiudsdto. and overlooking
a vas, eNpans. of that great fresh water
lske arose. among the village shade trees.
the spire of the old Presbyterian church in
Westield. At the lake. on the top of
bluff. stood tower light house. lit sixty
years ago. by natural gas. from an djacent
spring. The authors description Of the
oli-time snow-storms are indeed realistic
and would make the reader shiyer in mid
summer. The dialect and manner of life
of the York Yankees OF half century
ago are also almost literally reproduced.
with occasional phrases that are essentially
modern and were utterly unknown in the
days of inns and ''taverns."
One Of these was: ''rll bet you," from the
heroine. and the sentence. 1T goes without
saying" was seldom, if ever. uttered by
anybody. al the time OF the story.
so far as our knowledge Of litera-
ture or language enables us to Judge. But
the phrase. Just So" used by one of the
characters. .DenstOwe." We very well re-
member as very common in the locality fifty
years ago. except that it was more usually
rendered
But the purpose of the book is to describe
the early days of MOrmonism and the pc
culiar conditions in which the new religion
had its birth. 1t srrang up among what
were known As the orthodox people OF the
time-among those, indeed. who were the
most intense in their orthodoxy. and tbs
portion of the book devoted to this speciality
has both the interest and value of history.
One of the characters described was Sidney
Rigdon. with whose name and career We
were familiar. as he WAS an old Chautau-
quan. He represented the class of early Nor
mons who were really Sncern and devout,
and afterward. becoming familiar with the
fraudulent character and bad conduct of the
leaders. who were from the outset selfish
schemers. moved by the lust of gain and
power. left tie Church of the Latter Day
Saints" and thereafter used his influence
against them. Let il be borne in mind,
"a hofpva Ia do nf pptx-
gamy-n the time OF Joseph Smith and
before Brigham Young was heard Of-and
when Mormonism was comparatively HARM
less, but the fact is brought out In the
book-and it is historical verity-that
Normonism was false, corrupt and fraudu-
lent from the very first-at the time Of
the book having few thousand adherents,
and now boasting twO-and-a -a-half millions.
Kirkland. in northern Ohio. was then the
seat of Mormondon: Erotesqu. temple
was built under the direction OF the
(iiiotic) inspiration of the leaders. and
the like of il WAS never seen
a community settled by intelligent
and pious old New Englauders
and the first converts were - strangely
the ranks Of these people.
Why many Of these people became Nor
mons is psychological study. which the
author has illustrated in profoundly in
tsresting and able manner. These people
were 80 intense in their theology, rather
than in their pie:y. that they proved an
easy prey to enthusiastic fanaticism.
The interest of the book is decided and
weli-sustained. We may leave this feature
of all of Judge Tourgee's novels To take
care of itself. but the value OF the book is
ths. il furnishes important material, in its
sketch of the beginnings of Mormonism, to
be used for the solution of pending and
burning pro5lem-one OF the most vitality
important now before the American people.
or not the Judge has given us the
American novel," We cannot assume to
decide. but that he has given us an Ameri
can novel of great fascination, power and
utility. there can be no question. Roberts
Brothers, Boston. are the publishers. and il
may be ordered of Mr.. Pierce and other 10
cal booksellers.
Seven unfortunate inmates were burned
in the fire in the Northern Ohio Hospital
for the Insane. at Newburg, Wednesday.
The superintendent. DIR. Jamin Strong,
showed great promptne>s and efficiency on
the occasion.
Chairman Hayward. vice president of
the republican state executive committee,
has Just returned from Columbus. and re-